| Experiences with clinical depression have been found to hamper physiological, physical, and social factors imposed by neurological diseases lowering quality of life (Goldman Consensus Group, "The Goldman Consensus Statement on Depression in Multiple Sclerosis," 2005). This meta-analysis compared scores on a pre and post depression and quality of life scale with Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis populations (n = 389). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression was found to make a significant difference in perceptions of quality of life in both populations. Control and placebo groups also experienced reductions in depressive symptoms. Also, antidepressants were found to demonstrate better improvement in overall quality of life over cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression in Parkinson's disease populations. Moderating variables for treatment and control groups for initial symptom severity and patient population showed significant correlation for both multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease populations. |
